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A Night Out In Pittsburgh’s South Side

November 7, 2013 6:00 AM

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Photo Credit: KDKA

Pittsburgh’s South Side has the city’s greatest concentration of bars, restaurants, pubs and night clubs, making this neighborhood a prime pick for Pittsburghers looking for an entertaining night on the town. From iconic dive bars to watering holes with an international flair, the variety of nightlife activities, an accessible location and assorted partiers have helped the South Side’s business district grow into Pittsburgh’s most popular nightlife spot. Whether you’re looking for a hangout where you can whet your whistle, enjoy live music or chow down on the city’s best bar bites, you’re sure to find it among the diversity of East Carson Street and its neighboring side streets. During your next night out, be sure to make a stop among these five bars and pubs located within close proximity to one another in Pittsburgh’s South Side.

Kick off your bar crawl at Jack’s Rose Bar, the oldest bar in the South Side and self-proclaimed Pittsburgh legend. With unbeatably priced brews and liquor served in gigantic pitches and bottomless glasses, it’s easy to see why this dive bar has become a favorite with South Side locals. Like the city itself, Jack’s Rose Bar is full of some of diverse patrons, ranging from business professionals and college students to steel workers and even Ben Roethlisberger who makes an occasional appearance. If you’re searching for a simple watering hole with some of the South Side’s best shots and beer, don’t pass by the colorful glass-block windows and bright neon lights of this iconic Carson Street establishment.

Weave through the swarms of South Side revelers to the Carson Street Deli and Craft Beer Shop located less than a five-minute walk from Jack’s Rose Bar. There are plenty of craft beers to choose from—300 to be exact—that you can sample every Wednesday during the deli’s beer sampling event. If the weather’s right, venture outdoors to the intimate Craft Beer Garden courtyard and enjoy local brews like Helltown Mischievous Brown Ale, Voodoo Love Child and Fat Heads Goggle Fogger. If you’re starting to feel hunger pangs, the deli is a great choice for a bite to eat; fill up on one of 28 hearty deli special sandwiches before venturing to your next nightlife hotspot.

Carson Street has the country’s largest concentration of bars per block, so it can be difficult for a bar to stand out in the South Side…unless that bar is Jekyl & Hyde. Take a brief detour off of East Carson Street onto its neighboring South 18th Street and you’ll soon be greeted by the haunting atmosphere of Pittsburgh’s only year-round Halloween-themed bar. Get your fix of Halloween candy with spooky signature drinks like an Evil Shot, Witch’s Brew and the Zombie while trying your hand at fun games like Uncle Fester’s Electric Shock Treatment and free pool or belt it out on karaoke nights. With wonderfully horrific décor, unbeatable happy hour specials and a spectacular beer selection, Jekyl & Hyde is just plain fun.

A five-minute stroll back to East Carson Street will lead you to Piper’s Pub for a taste of Scotland and the British Isles mixed with authentic Pittsburgh touches. This pub has more than 10 Pennsylvania-brewed beers on tap in addition to 25 other draught beers and a variety of ciders, ales and stouts. Piper’s Pub also serves up a fantastic selection of scotch and “over-the-pond” entrees, including favorites like corned beef and cabbage, lamb and smoked chestnut shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash. Forget the city’s other imitation Gaelic watering holes. For a true Irish pub experience, Piper’s Pub is a must!

If tacos and tequila sounds like a fiesta to you, pull up a barstool at Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant and Bar. Its cantina is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day at work or get loose with your best friends on the weekend over its selection of margaritas, beer, mojitos, sangria, tequila and martinis. Happy hour specials featuring half-priced appetizers and drinks are offered daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant and Bar is located on the corner of East Carson Street and South 26th Street adjacent to Excuses Bar & Grill.

Jessica Wasik lives in Pittsburgh where works as a full-time figure skating coach sharing her passion with todays generation of young skaters. A graduate of Robert Morris University with a degree in English Studies, Jessica is also a contributing writer for Allegheny West Magazine. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.